Night markets doubleheader for town
There will be a night markets double for Timaru on consecutive Fridays in November.
Te Aitarakihi Marae-a-Iwi/ Multicultural Centre at Smithfield will host its first night market event this Friday, while a week later the Twilight Night Market, organised by Timaru CBD Group and Timaru Artisan Farmers Market, will go ahead in the town’s CBD.
Te Aitarakihi’s Kairuruku/ project co-ordinator, Anna Buckingham, said they wanted to create a fun event with music, access to locally produced wares, and partake of kai (food).
‘‘(Te Aitarakihi Marae-a-Iwi/ Multicultural Centre) is very supportive of our community as a whole, and bringing everyone together for a festive celebration,’’ Buckingham said.
‘‘(There will be) stalls with food, arts and crafts, community-based organisations and emergency services, performers from Kapahaka, singing groups and a magician act.’’
Buckingham said there will be 35 stalls including hangi, Pasifika food stalls, Māori art and jewellery. ‘‘We are expecting a very good attendance and have arranged to use Alliance Smithfield
car parking area.
‘‘With positive feedback and good attendance, we will plan for future markets and make it an annual event as well as Waitangi Day, Matariki and Te Wiki o te Reo Mā ori.’’
Buckingham said approximately 400 people have joined the centre to learn Te Reo Māori, to volunteer in the Mara Kai – community gardens, to assist with kitchen help, catering and events held at Te Aitarakihi.
The first market will run from 4.30-8.30pm at Te Aitarakihi on Bridge Rd, Smithfield. A week later the town’s night market will be on Stafford St between George St and Bay from 5-9pm.